SAN JOSE -- North American-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.1 billion in orders in October on a three-month average basis. The book-to-bill ratio was 0.95, according to SEMI.

A book-to-bill of 0.95 means that $95 worth of orders were received for every $100 of product billed for the month.

The three-month worldwide bookings average was up 12% over revised September levels and 20% below October 2004.

The three-month average of worldwide billings in October 2005 was $1.16 billion, up 6% from revised September figures but down 19% from last year.

The numbers also include revised August bookings.

"Bookings and billings for North American based semiconductor equipment providers have been stable for the past six months," said Stanley T. Myers, president and CEO of SEMI. "It is encouraging to see the recent improvement in bookings as the industry continues to ramp 300 mm production and is beginning to invest in 65 nanometer technology."